D.C. Aims to Turn Sightseeing Tourists Into Shoppers

WASHINGTON -- World-class shopping might not be the first thing
that comes to mind when travelers think of this city, but the
Washington Convention and Visitors Association wants to change that
with a new international campaign aimed at Europeans who take short
shopping trips.

Marie Tibor, a spokeswoman for the WCVA, said that the promotion
will capitalize on the fact that New York hotels often are booked
during the winter holiday season and foreign tour operators are
looking for alternative shopping destinations in the U.S.

The campaign, called Winterfest of Special Values, will run from
Nov. 15 to Feb. 15.

It is being sponsored in cooperation with United Airlines, the
Hotel Association of Washington, the Metropolitan Washington
Airports Authority and the D.C. Committee to Promote
Washington.

The WCVA will organize special value coupons for area shops,
restaurants and attractions; entertainment; local transportation,
and tours.

The coupons will be part of a Washington tour package that will
be sold through travel agents in the U.K., Germany, France, Italy,
Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands.

In addition, the association is offering new visitor maps that
are printed in Spanish, French, Italian and German.